i’ve been tasting Virginia wines since the late 1980s. i’ve had seyval blanc, vidal blanc, chardonnay, riesling, pinot grigio, viognier, merlot, cab, cab franc, norton, chambourcin, sangiovese, pinot noir and zinfandel.
there’s been a ton of change over that period and things have gotten better.
there are some good wines. most of the time if you show me a good wine from virginia, ill show you an over-priced wine. the results of gary’s tasting are not surprising.

had the barboursville octagon – quite good, but not competitive at $40 imo.

i’ve been tasting Virginia wines since the late 1980s. i’ve had seyval blanc, vidal blanc, chardonnay, riesling, pinot grigio, viognier, merlot, cab, cab franc, norton, chambourcin, sangiovese, pinot noir and zinfandel.
there’s been a ton of change over that period and things have gotten better.
there are some good wines. most of the time if you show me a good wine from virginia, ill show you an over-priced wine. the results of gary’s tasting are not surprising.

had the barboursville octagon – quite good, but not competitive at $40 imo.

Just finished the episode, glad to see at least one VA wine that didn’t completely disappoint. Though at $23 it still seems fairly disappointing.

QOTD: Sadly i’ve not really tried many US wines outside of CA.

Good episode!

Cheers.

hmm if it is not european nope haha must try some other stuff

QOTD – Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine (New Mexico)

And also, Spanning the World, with Len Berman

QOTD: If North America counts, British Columbia’s Quails Gate makes excellent wines. I’ve been very happy with their Merlot, and their Optima dessert wine is awesome too!

QOTD – With the big 4 out, I would have to go with several selections from Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, MO, or Riverboat Red from Les Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport, MO. Not great….or even all that good…..but I have to go with the home team.

QOTD: My favorite wine that I’ve had outsid the Big 4, probably would have to be a Perrin & Fils Chateaneauf de Pape.

Gary – Can you suggest some Chards that don’t embrace the oak monster so much…I need to spread my wings a little bit in regards to the different varietals I typically drink. Can you help me out? Thank you.

I feel sorry for people in Virginia.

QOTD: Sakonnet Vineyards Gewürztraminer, Little Compton RI. New England is an outstanding place to grow Gewürz.

IDAHO!! In da house. Big Area on the ups Gary!!! Guess where all the washingtonians are going to flock to when prices get sky high (if not all ready) in Walla Walla land! Idaho offers vary comparable climate and heat, and Couer D’alene Cellars is rocking with my man Brian Logan as wine maker.

QOTD: I work in the business and still don’t really have one. I have found that some stuff coming out of Shelton in NC was okay though.

Dude, this is brutal. Maybe Gary should not be allowed to tape shows after a Jets loss. I know, pretend this is the Monday after Superbowl III! The Jets have just beaten the Baltimore Colts!! The AFC prevails over the NFC for the first time!!! Broadway Joe is a hero and the Jets are #1!

QOTD: Strangely enough, I’ve had wines from all over the world, but I can’t find wines from any where in the US but the big four. Am I looking hard enough? I know I haven’t had a bottle shipped to me lately, but an indigenous Virginia wine would be cool!

Dude, this is brutal. Maybe Gary should not be allowed to tape shows after a Jets loss. I know, pretend this is the Monday after Superbowl III! The Jets have just beaten the Baltimore Colts!! The AFC prevails over the NFC for the first time!!! Broadway Joe is a hero and the Jets are #1!

QOTD: Strangely enough, I’ve had wines from all over the world, but I can’t find wines from any where in the US but the big four. Am I looking hard enough? I know I haven’t had a bottle shipped to me lately, but an indigenous Virginia wine would be cool!

GV, it’s okay, but I come to your show to lighten me up and make me feel like there’s something complex and fun I haven’t had a bite of yet. If anyone else is like me, they aren’t commenting because you haven’t done that for us the last couple of days. Honestly, you need to take a step back, forget about the show, forget about the Jets, and look back on what you like about life, what got you here, and stop and smile at where you are. You’re on TV, you’re on the web, you have thousands of fans across the US and increasingly around the world. This is a good time in your life. I have to say it was kind of funny when I was trying to figure out if Sasha was a dude or chick (my fiance generally goes by Sasha) but then I remembered your dad. Life is good! Relax and come back to us so we’re excited to post comments. I’m aware you filmed both episodes in one day so maybe it’s just the Jets but stay cool. Good luck and stay healthy.

Sorry the wines sucked Gary….

QOTD: The best bottle I have had to this day is a bottle called “Jeckel” I dont remember the vintage or where it was from but what I do remember is that it was a meritage, it was one polished bottle of wine let me tell ya!!!

QOTD: I tried an Idaho Cabernet a few years ago (Snake River Vineyards????)
was quite good!!

Hey Gary, I’m a (former) lurker. I’m making my first comment right…now.

I recently had the Blanc de Blanc sprakling wine from Westport Rivers, from Westport Mass. My girlfriend and I got lost goint to a south shore beach and ended up hanging out at the winery. Really great stuff, and their Blanc de Noir is pretty good too, but it took me a few times to pick up on the flavor profile. I’m not sure what to think of their Rkatseteli (sic?), but stay away from the cabernet. Seriously.

I’m really hoping that other wineries will pick up on Westport Rivers’ success in winemaking. Sometimes I have fantasies about living a few miles north of “New Champ”, which is what we will call our new sparkling wine utopia.
http://www.westportrivers.com/ourwine-index.htm

qotd: my Dad’s buddy who makes wine in his garage in Jersey.

oh yea…snake river vineyards. i had their red blend..$8. wasn’t bad.

QOD – Standing Stone Vineyard (Finger Lakes, NY) Vidal Blanc Ice Wine – delicious! Some of the Rieslings from the other vineyards, both dry & late harvest are very good as well. I’ll be up there next week to taste for myself;-)

I feel your pain, Rutgers…..Mets….I need a drink!!!!

QOTD: Propoganda from Frogtown Cellars in North Geogia. It’s probably the best we tasted in North Georgia although we liked some others well enough. It was priced out of range, however. We also like Touche and Talking Rock Red. Don’t know if I have the nerve to send them to you to review, though.

2006 Vidal Blanc from Sakonnet Vineyards right here in RI. You actually gave their chardonnay a thumbs up when you tasted it on the show a while back. Good stuff.

QoTD: I just went to the Dry Comal Creek Winery in New Braunfels where I had an unoaked Cab, which remainded me a lot of some of the junior labels put out by the grand cru wineries from France. Very good at $25, whereas the second label g.c.s run at $35-40. However, I was blown away by their Black Spanish Dark Red Lenoir 2006 Reserve. It was as good as the stuff I drank in Spain during my last vacation there in 2005. In fact, my Q to you, Gary, and I guess anyone else, is: why doesn’t Murcia get more play. The wines from the region are very good. My guess is that the region sells most of its output within Spain. The little coop in the town sold Murcian wine as premium (2euros/750ml) whereas the local was sold at .75euros/750ml. Both were excellent.